Vintage Metal Signs

Vintage Metal Signs are like windows to the past. They’re old metal signs used for advertising, decoration, or even as road markers back in the day. These signs are made of materials like tin, steel, or enamel, and they often have colorful designs and catchy slogans.

Vintage Metal Signs and Advertising History

The steel industry was booming at the turn of the century and was a logical choice for mass-produced signage. Steel was the preferred material for signs up until the onset of WWII. During the war, the production of metal signs was banned since every ounce of metal was needed for the war effort. Emphasis was put on maintaining old signage, rather than replacing it.

Advances in technology during the war resulted in the invention of plastics and vinyl. These synthetic materials were more durable than tin for outdoor signs. They replaced tin signs entirely for the most part from the 1950s on. Tin signs have returned as a popular. And in the present day for collectors and anyone looking for a retro look. Vintage styling and subject matter have made tin signs very desirable for today’s home decor. Also, tin signs are long-lasting and won’t tear or fade.

There are also tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, Vintage Gas Station Signs and chewing Metal Vintage Advertising Signs. Also products such as clothing, shoes, shirts, and jeans. then we have transportation advertising which includes planes, trains, automobiles, trucks, cars, ships, boats, and buses, and just a few of these brands are airlines like Northwest, TWA, United, and Southwest and some of the different planes would be Piper Cub, Cessna, Boeing, Beechcraft and probably a 1000 others.

Examples of different large metal signs for Bus Lines would be, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Trailways, MTA, and many other Metal Vintage Advertising Signs some of the Railroad lines would be, the Soo Line railroad, Great Northern, and the triangle lines from Chicago to St. Louis, and Kansas City the Transcontinental, Short Line and many more of these….These old metal signs are very collectible and have been appreciating in value more than most collectibles.

Increased consumerism as well as an increase in the advertising of brands was first seen in the US around 1900. The literacy rate among the public was on the rise, so signage was becoming a more effective method of advertising. Signs became rectangular or square and were printed with more information than in the past. Tin signs appeared inside and outside of grocery stores to advertise the brands and products sold in that store.

In an effort to conserve metal, many companies used these signs. Like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, 7-Up, RC Cola, Dr. Pepper, Orange Crush, Lime Crush, and Lemon Crush. Also Auto and transportation companies like Greyhound, Cessna, Northwest Airlines, Ford, Pontiac,. Chevrolet, Buick. Also Oldsmobile, Nash, Hudson, ROE, Rickenbacker, Mormon, Evinrude. Great Northern, Case Eagle, John Deere tractor, Oliver tractor, I-H tractor, and truck.

Figuring Out If a Metal Signs Is Really Old

To know if a metal sign is genuinely vintage, you need to check a few things:

Looks Old: Real vintage signs have signs of wear and tear like rust, scratches, and fading paint. These imperfections give them character and show that they’ve been around for a while.

Made Well: Vintage signs were usually made with care and attention to detail. They’re often hand-painted or screen-printed, and you can sometimes see brush strokes or small imperfections in the design. Modern reproductions might look too perfect or have digital printing that looks too crisp.

Design Style: The design of a sign can also give clues about its age. Vintage signs often have old-fashioned fonts and graphics that match the time they were made. For example, signs from the 1950s might have bold, retro fonts, while signs from the 1970s might feature psychedelic colors and funky designs.

Any Markings: Sometimes, there are stamps or marks from the company that made them on the back of vintage signs. These markings can provide valuable information about the sign’s origin and age. You can research these markings online or Contact us.